Transcript Slide 1

Resume Writing
& Interview
Skills
Resume Writing & Interview Skills
• How to make your resume stand out
• The interview: Make the most of your time in front of hiring
managers
• What are employers really looking for?
• Social networking: How your online image may affect your job
search
"Even though companies are gradually starting to hire again, the
job market will still be challenging this year. To take advantage of
the opportunities that exist- it’s important to start your search
early, remain positive and keep an open mind. In addition,
networking and showing relevant work experience - whether it is
internships, class work or volunteering - can help make your
application stand out."
- Brent Rasmussen, President of CareerBuilder North
America
Make Yourself Stand Out
Your resume is the reason you will or will not receive an
interview. Make it memorable for the right reasons.
• Apply early. Employers receive more than 85 applications for open positions
on average . If you see a position you are interested in, don’t hesitate to
apply. Go for it!
• Stand out from the crowd. Establish your “brand” with the prospective
employer. Make sure you are highlighting specific accomplishments,
quantifying results whenever possible to showcase how your skills benefitted
previous employers.
• Use keywords. Hiring managers often use electronic scanners to rank
candidates based on a keyword search of applications for specific jobs. Make
sure to pepper in keywords from the job posting into your resume as they
apply to your experience.
Keywords: What Job Titles
Are Employers Searching For?
Hiring managers often use electronic scanners to rank
candidates based on a keyword search of applications for
specific jobs. Make sure to pepper in keywords from the job
posting into your resume as they apply to your experience.
Top 10 keywords/titles employers have been searching on Careerbuilder.com in 2010:
1.
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4.
5.
Customer Service
Outside Sales
Recruiter
Manager
Registered Nurse
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Administrative Assistant
Physical Therapist
Certified Public Accountant
Call Center
Licensed Practical Nurse
Resume Format:
Chronological vs. Functional
Chronological
• Effective when demonstrating
career progression
• Preferred by most employers
• Lists work experience in
reverse sequential order
Functional
• Effective when changing
careers or you have a broad
range of experience
• Most relevant experience at
the top
• Headings that classify the
type of work or position,
instead of the most
recent
• Sections arranged under
headings
• Managerial, purchasing,
administrative, etc.
Resume Format
Stand out from the crowd. Regardless of the format
you choose, make sure you are highlighting specific
accomplishments to showcase your skills.
Why?
43% of hiring managers spend one minute or less
looking at a resume when first reviewing applications
Key Components of Resumes
• Contact Information
• Name, Address, Phone, Email
• Value Add
• One sentence about what skills/value you can offer that position
• Education
• School, Location, Graduation Date & GPA optional
• Professional Experience & Accomplishments
• Dates of employment
• Details of skills and accomplishment relevant to the position
• Be specific!
• Technical qualification, Licenses, Certifications, Language skills
• Relevant to the position you are applying for only
• Professional Affiliations
• Leadership positions, volunteer work, clubs
Choose Your Words Wisely
• Be specific, not vague
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Vague:
Specific:
“Responsibilities include working the cash register and selling coffee.”
“Increased revenue by 15% through promotion of coffee drinks to over 80
customers weekly in July.”
OR
“Maintained a register balance of cash and credit transactions for an
average of $1,000 daily
Ditch the Empty Words
Employers cite these common phrases as overused and often
ignored by hiring managers:
People person
Go-Getter
Team Player
Hard-Working
Multitasker
Self-Starter
Results Oriented
Goal Oriented
What Criteria Do Employers Use For Evaluation?
• Easy reading
• Education or training required for the position
• Experience that “stands out” from others
• Language skills, organizations, technical skills, military training etc.
Employers recently surveyed by CareerBuilder report that the following
activities qualify as pertinent work experience on resumes:
Internships
Part-time jobs in another area or field
Volunteer work
Class work
Involvement in school organizations
Involvement in managing activities for sororities and fraternities
Participation in sports
Your Resume: Fact or fiction?
"Even the slightest embellishment can come back to haunt
you and ruin your credibility. If you’re concerned about
gaps in employment, your background or skill sets, invention
is not the answer. Use your cover letter strategically to tell
your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments
and explaining any areas of concern if needed.”
- Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder
• Bending the truth can cost you the job.
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8% of workers admit to stretching the truth on their resumes
49% of hiring managers reported they caught a candidate lying on their resume.
- Of these employers, 75% said they automatically dismissed the applicant.
• The most common lies discovered on a resume, according to a 2010
CareerBuilder survey:
• Embellished responsibilities
• Academic degrees
• Skill Set
• Companies worked for
• Dates of employment
• Job title
Your Resume: Top 5 To-Do’s
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Make it easy to read – 2 pages maximum, 3 -5 bullets per employer
2.
Include a professional summary and objective in your cover letter
3.
List accomplishments – quantifiable when possible
4.
Use strong verbs to represent your skill set
5.
Be honest! Make sure all of the information on your resume can be
validated.
Your resume made the cut…
Get ready for the interview!
Before the Interview
• Assemble the necessary papers
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Resume copies – have at least 5 copies with you for the interview
Necessary identification
Samples of work (if necessary)
Work history
Reference information
• Learn all you can about the employer
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What else are they hiring for?
What is their reputation?
What are their products and services?
What are their company goals?
• PRACTICE! Have a clear understanding of what you have to offer
• Prepare questions to ask
• Call/Email the day before to confirm
5 Types of Interviewers
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Your best friend
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The interrogator
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Expect: The interviewer is doing other things, checking email, taking calls, not paying attention to your
responses.
Do: Answer the questions and be friendly. Don’t allow the disinterest to detract from your positive energy.
The inappropriate one
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Expect: Question after question. Don’t expect to get verbal or non-verbal feedback.
Do: Focus on answering the questions and don’t over think the reaction or lack of reaction.
The one who has better things to do
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Expect: Too much of everything. A little too enthusiastic, too personal, too chummy.
Do: Show you are relaxed, but maintain professionalism.
Expect: You might hear an inappropriate joke or personal story, or asks too personal questions of you.
Do: Stay in your comfort zone. You can ask to steer the conversation back to the job requirements and your
personal skills.
The rule follower
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Expect: Boring questions and stoic demeanor, like checking things off a list.
Do: Know how to answer the basic questions, What is your greatest weakness?
www.careerbuilder.com
While Interviewing: Remember This
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Take your time when responding to questions
Remember the top 3 reasons why you are qualified and let them know
Anticipate objectives and be prepared to respond to them
Prepare thoughtful questions about both the job and the company
Always follow up
Two types of interviews may be used throughout the application process:
Phone Interview
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Typically used in the 1st stage of the
interviewing process
Effective way for a firm to screen
many candidates quickly
In-person Interview
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Used to get to know the candidate
better
Helps employers see the candidate in
the work environment
What Are My Objectives During A Phone Interview?
• To create interest with the employer to speak about your background
• Get more information on what skills the organization is looking for
• Describe specific examples of how you have exhibited needed skills in past
jobs
• Discover the timeline for filling the position
• Understand the process for application and decision making
• Secure an in-person interview appointment with the position decision maker
www.careerbuilder.com
Phone Interview Best Practices
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Answer the telephone politely
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Use intonation to show enthusiasm, confidence and clarity of thought
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Let the interviewer take the lead; be polite and professional
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Be specific in your answers and focus on your skill
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Repeating the question to create time to be thoughtful
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Use the company’s name and the specific job title to describe how your skills translate
to their open position
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Have a few thoughtful questions about the position and company ready to go
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Ask for an in-person interview
http://www.wikijob.co.uk/wiki/telephone-interview
www.careerbuilder.com
How Do I Prepare For A Live Interview?
• Research the following:
• The company
• Competitors
• The people you are scheduled to be interviewed by
• Dress professionally
• PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
• Drive to the location of the interview at least one day prior to determine
time needed to arrive
• Plan on arriving 15 minutes early
• Check the weather/news to determine possible delays
• Prepare interview materials days in advance
• Bring a pen and pad to take important notes during the interview
• Jot down questions about the position and company before the interview
www.careerbuilder.com
What Does Your Body Language
Say About You?
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Keep calm – Take measures to stay as calm as possible before the interview. Leave
the house with plenty of time to get to the interview, avoid caffeine if possible and
take deep, calming breaths.
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Practice makes perfect – The old adage proves true in this case, as you’ll feel more
comfortable the more you prepare for the interview, and it will help decrease your
anxiety. Rehearse ahead of time with friends or family.
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See for yourself –Look in a mirror while practicing interview responses or
videotape yourself to figure out your typical physical movements, and whether or
not you need to change them.
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Hiring managers said that the following body language missteps would make
them less likely to hire a candidate:
Failure to make eye contact
Fidgeting too much
Handshake that is too weak
Playing with their hair or touching their face
Lack of smile
Bad posture
Crossing arms over their chest
Using too many hand gestures
Things NOT To Do In A Live Interview:
In a survey by CareerBuilder in 2010 employers identified the
most common interview mistakes:
• Dressing inappropriately
• Appearing disinterested
• Speaking negatively about a current or previous employer
• Appearing arrogant
• Answering a cell phone or texting during the interview
• Not providing specific answers
• Not asking good questions
What is Important to Employers?
While employers say that experience is one of the most influential
factors in their decision to hire college graduate, they also point to the
following attributes:
• Good fit with company culture
• Comes in with good ideas and asks good questions
• Educational background
• Level of enthusiasm
• Comes to interview prepared, is knowledgeable about company
What Types of Questions Should I Expect?
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Tell me about yourself…
What is your greatest weakness?
Why should we hire you?
What are your goals?
Why are you leaving your current job? Why did you leave your job?
What salary are you seeking?
What are 3 positive and 3 negative things your boss would say about you?
What are your strengths?
How do your skills match the job description ?
When were you most/least satisfied in your job?
www.careerbuilder.com
How Can I Answer Questions Effectively?
• Be SMART
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Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Results-oriented
Time Bounded
• Use different examples showing your academic, extracurricular, work
and volunteering experience
• Discuss YOUR role in group projects, activities, and programs
• Explain the specific situation and the related tasks
• Speak about the actions you took that lead to specific results
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria
Don’t Forget…
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Be on time
Turn your cell phone off
Bring copies of your resumes
Bring a notepad and pen
Don’t make jokes
Don’t badmouth a boss
Dress in a clean and conservative manner
Don’t flirt with the interviewer
Have good eye contact
Ask questions- write them out in advance
Show your passion
Send a thank you note within 24 hours
www.howtonailaninterview.com
What Do Employers Check Before Making A Job Offer?
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Former employers
Job titles at past employers
Length of employment
Dates of employment
• Be prepared to explain gaps in employment that are over one month
• Background check
• Credit check
• Professional references
• Your references should be prepared to speak candidly about you
• Social networking websites
Social Networking: Make It Work For You
"Social networking is a great way to make connections with potential
job opportunities and promote your personal brand across the Internet. Make
sure you are using this resource to your advantage by conveying a professional
image and underscoring your qualifications."
- Rosemary Haefner, Vice President of Human Resources at CareerBuilder
Did you know?
• 45% of employers surveyed by CareerBuilder in 2010 are utilizing social networking
• When considering a candidate, employers often use:
- 44% check Facebook
- 13% look at MySpace
- 5 % follow candidates on Twitter
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- 31% use LinkedIn
- 7% search blogs
The top industries most likely to screen job candidates via social networking sites :
– Information Technology
– Professional & Business Services
DO’s and DON’Ts to Maintain
A Positive Image Online:
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DO clean up digital dirt BEFORE you begin your job search. Remove any photos,
content and links that can work against you in an employer’s eyes.
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DO consider creating your own professional group to establish relationships with
thought leaders, recruiters and potential referrals.
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DO keep gripes offline. Keep the content focused on the positive, whether that
relates to professional or personal information. Makes sure to highlight specific
accomplishments inside and outside of work.
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DON’T forget others can see your friends, so be selective about who you accept as
friends. Monitor comments made by others. Consider using the "block comments"
feature or setting your profile to "private" so only designated friends can view it.
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DON’T mention your job search if you’re still employed
Thank you for attending!